There’s a new luxury hotel in Amsterdam…yet it’s commanded a prime piece of real estate opposite the Royal Palace for 155 years. Anantara opened in the Dutch capital in April 2022 following the renovation and rebranding of a historic grande dame. To oversee the transformation of the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, formerly part of the NH hotel group before its acquisition by Minor Hotels, Anantara tapped Dutch General Manager Arne Heuwekemeijer, who was previously at the helm of a luxury hotel in Shanghai.
With 402 guestrooms, the Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky is one of Europe’s largest five-star hotels, yet management reports its goal is to elevate service standards so that even if the hotel is at full capacity, each guest gets personalized attention.
Another focus is to create experiences that immerse guests in Amsterdam’s environs and culture. Case in point: A private canal cruise in a restored, century-old saloon boat. Decked out in lacquered wood and vases of roses, the elegant vessel is piloted by an experienced captain who shares anecdotes while you toast with drinks and a picnic basket. As you glide through the maze of canals threading the Dutch capital, you can witness the buzz of city life while also admiring architectural details—the archways of hundreds of bridges, the gabled houses festooned with flowers and tilting at odd angles.
Here’s another knock-out: A unique tulip experience designed by the Anantara team as the first of its kind. In the springtime you can dine in the middle of a tulip field, surrounded by thousands of colorful flowers cultivated on a fourth-generation family farm, and get insights into the tulip trade following your white-tablecloth feast. Anantara is even developing its own tulip, tinged with the signature Anantara gold. For more information, reach out to the head concierge, Lennart Willemsen (l.willemsen@anantara-hotels.com), a member of Les Clefs d’Or who’s worked at the hotel for seven years. Whether you’re interested in Dutch design, the coolest restaurants, or Vermeer, Van Gogh and the city’s artistic masterpieces, he’s a wealth of information about Amsterdam.
The hotel has been a popular gathering place since the Polish tailor, Adolph Wilhelm Krasnapolsky, first opened a coffee house here in 1856. Its dining venues continue to draw devoted habitués. They include the Grand Café Krasnapolsky, which serves up bijou chocolates fashioned as jewels (a collaboration with a local jewelry designer); the Wintergarden, a favorite wedding venue, capped with a soaring 19th-century glass atrium roof; and The White Room, the city’s oldest original dining room, which has soaring ceilings, wall murals, and gilded statues listed as a historic monument. Overseen by chef Jacob Jan Boerma, this Michelin-starred restaurant creates multi-course menus that celebrate the bounty of the Netherlands: the sea-focused “Gold” menu makes magic out of mullet, for example, with surprising kimchi and tonka-bean flavors, while the “Green” menu shines the spotlight on vegetables with surprising ingredient combinations, like the barbecued celeriac with kabocha pumpkin, black truffle, and goat butter.
A special shout out to the cocktail bar, named The Tailor in a nod to the hotel’s origins. Styled with fun references to tailoring (a “tape measure” runs the length of the bar), this watering hole is a favorite of Amsterdam’s cocktail aficionados for its expert drinks and tasty bites. The mixologists consistently win top cocktail awards, the menu exalting the craft with homemade tinctures and syrups. Try the “Furnace Creek,” a twist on the classic Bloody Mary with mezcal, jackfruit, red bell pepper, tabasco, and barbecue tincture. Even the mocktails are technical feats; the best-selling “Corsage” is a celebration of strawberry in three ways, including homemade jam and fermented fruit. Tip: The Tailor works with the distillery next door—Wynand Fockink has been making high-quality spirits since 1679—and the hotel can arrange tastings and tours of the atmospheric space.
The hotel itself is an amalgam of 55 buildings and the ongoing renovation has imbued the historic venue with Anantara’s plush contemporary style. Rooms are designed with a mid-century décor and local touches, such as traditional Amsterdam cookies and a custom book celebrating Amsterdam’s eccentric senior citizen personalities. The top digs are the two-bedroom Presidential Suite (a duplex comprising more than 1,075 square feet, complete with rooftop terrace) and the Royal Suite, sprawling across 1,615 square feet on the fourth floor, overlooking Dam Square and the Royal Palace. (It’s even got bullet-proof windows.) For VIP bookings, reach out to Director of Sales Willemijn van den Dungen (w.dungen@anantara-hotels.com). Note that the full renovation will be complete by 2023; phased work continues with minimal disturbance to guests.
The hotel wouldn’t be Anantara without the signature spa. Complete with a sauna, steam room, and gym with a rotating climbing wall, the spa offers a range of Anantara signature massages alongside popular treatments such as the 90-minute Pure Collagen facial by Swissline. The spa’s skin coaches also use the Dutch brand Hannah for intensive, anti-aging facials. For booking requests or treatment recommendations, reach out to Spa Director Bussaba Sansila (b.sansila@anantara-hotels.com).
Behind the spa is the courtyard garden, recently opened to guests for the first time after a big renovation. Surrounded by historical Amsterdam houses, this serene oasis is a rare gem in the city, a resort-like setting for drinks, chats, and urban yoga in one of Europe’s most popular destinations.
Anantara’s Expansion
Since its debut with a seaside resort in Thailand in 2001, the Bangkok-based hospitality brand has expanded to over 40 properties in diverse geographical settings around the globe, from the Oman desert and Maldives atolls to the ancient wonders of Rome. In the last five years, a strategic expansion across Europe has resulted in hotels in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Hungary, and the Netherlands, with more hotels in the pipeline. Along the way, Anantara’s focus has been consistent luxury, top-notch service, and immersive experiences that unlock the secrets of a destination.
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